Game Strategy, defense situation one out base runners on 1st and second base.

[Admin]

Game Strategy, defense situation one out, base runners on 1st and second base.

At the plate #3 batter in the lineup is batting.
Number 3 batter is going to bunt.

The Bunt She lays down, will be fielded by your 3rd baseman

What's is your defense options do you go for the sure out at first base?


Or does your defense freeze out/throw the force at 3rd bases.

 

[GeneralsDad]

A lot still to assume...but having 2 outs is huge. Now my 3 converted shortstops can give the 4 hole a little room in the outfield.

 

[coachjwb]

As Generals says, a lot to assume, including the speed of the runner on 2B. If it's the leadoff hitter and she has a lot of speed, that's a very risky play that could result in turning an inning into a big inning. Another is if I know for sure the bunt is coming ... 3 hole hitters aren't always bunting in that situation and if my 3B and SS aren't necessarily expecting it, the risk is even greater. The final big assumption is how hard and where the ball is bunted ... if it's a slow roller down the line, that's a much more difficult play. I am normally going to want to take the "sure out" at 1B, and now with 1B open, we can even work around the 4 hole hitter if we need to.

Later added ... I actually missed the part about there being one out (vs. none) ... absolutely get the sure out ...

 

[Really]

I say get the sure out at first. Last thing you want is bases loaded with only one out.

 

[Softballfarm]

There are a lot of different things to do depending on the score and inning... one would be to get the out at 1b... walk the #4 hitter and go after the #5 hitter. Depends on who they are batting behind their #4 hitter...if she is a good hitter I would try something else but would think their #4 is batting in that spot for a reason. The fact they would sacrifice their #3 to bring #4 up with 2 runners in scoring position with 2 outs is also telling.

 

[AndrewGeorge]

Absolutely get the out at first base. As stated above, the runner at second is going to have plenty of speed (being the lead off batter) and will be getting a better than average lead off at second knowing the bunt is coming. With 2 outs and first base open I would not automatically walk the #4 batter, but I assure you she would not see anything above the knee or over the middle of the plate.

Bottom line is, weather you have runners at 1st & 2nd with 2 outs or runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs it will still take a base hit to drive in a run (barring pass ball or wild pitch, but you cannot plan around those things).

This entire situation gets 10x more complicated if you have this situation with zero outs. With 1 out, 10 out of 10 times I will get the 2nd out and deal with runners on whatever bases they end up on.

 

[wow]

Agree with above. Go for the sure out at one.... But you could strategize and want to get the lead runner, just in case you need the "extra base" time if you think you can get a scrubbed ball in the infield. Knowing the #4 is important. If you have not seen them before you have assume they are fairly decent and will make contact. Again number of variables for sure..

Option - double play 2 then 1.... Your out of the inning!

 

[Coach_Dave]

You definitely want to make sure you get an out there, but if it is a poor bunt and the 3B is confident she has a play at third, I say let her fly. But, she has to be sure she has time to get the out at third. Hopefully the other infielders will be telling her where to go.

 

[Maxx]

I would get the sure out, but I would also be scratching my head at why the other coach is having their #3 hitter bunting with one out and a runner in scoring position.....but thank you very much for the out coach!!

 

[JoeA1010]

^^^^Maxx and others are exactly right. Before we even get to telling your defense where it is going to throw the ball before the play unfolds, any coach laying down a sac bunt with 1st and 2nd and one out (especially with the #3 hitter at the plate), needs to have his/her head examined. As Maxx stated, you are going to take the easy out and perhaps thank the other coach while you're at it. And then as others stated, you may very well be walking the #4 hitter, and voila, you have completely avoided the #3 and #4 hitters! What in the world type of strategy is it for the offense to take two runners on base with the 3 and 4 hitters coming up, and then give away an out and make sure those two hitters do not get a chance to drive anyone home? If I'm an Athletic Director and I see that, that coach had better be equipped with a really good explanation for me the next day or else I'm putting together a list of candidates for a new head coach.

As to the other point, while I will lean extremely strong toward taking the sure out, I don't want my defense in a mode where they are thinking they HAVE to go to first before the ball is ever bunted. I want them thinking, ok, we are leaning strongly toward getting a sure out here if they bunt, but now let's see how the play unfolds. For example, if it becomes just as easy to go to third for the force because the bunt was popped up and the third baseman got it on a short hop (runner on second had to hold up to avoid a possible double play), then sure, let's go to three.

Ricky, thanks for the question. Since I can't comment on individual players or teams and who is arguing with who, this gave me something to talk about on here again!

 

[cz fastpitch fan]

Lots of great reasons why have already been posted. Absolutely get the sure out at 1. If the runner on 1st is an aggressive runner you could possibly get away with the 5-4-6 backside DP, bit that is incredibly risky with the leadoff batter now on 3B.
Lots of ways to play for the 3rd out, but the smart play off the bat is to get the out at 1st. From there, previously stated...trust your defense and pitcher to get the 4 or 5 hole hitter.

 

[KO123]

I say easy...go 1 and trust your pitcher to throw a ground ball to #4 hitter with 2 outs

 

[daboss]

Go for the out at 1st. Go after the #4 hitter with 2 outs. Optional to walk #4 if needed but keep the options in your favor. Gunning down a girl at 3rd to gain the second out or risking a double play is too risky. Pressure the offense to earn a run instead of setting them up to get a cheap score from poor defensive execution of a play that's not in their normal wheel house.

 

[flygirlsdad]

How the ball is bunted will be the determining factor to me. If it is bunted hard right at a player, especially first or pitcher, the out out third might not be that difficult.

 

[spartansd]

First let me say that bunting a batter to 3rd is just not good statistical softball.

If you look at percentage of scoring. You will see 2nd with 1 out verses 3rd with 2 outs is almost the same. So why not give yourself 2 bites at the apple.


As far as defense. Take the out at first. You are going to assume the #4 hitter is a power hitter and more likely hit a gap anyway. Additionally, they are probably slower so you can play deep on the infield.

This is not really that tough of a choice.